Women's Soccer Spears Sharks To Grab Share of Conference Lead

Lauren Manna scored the game-winner in the 12th minute. Photo by Joel Auerbach.

MIAMI SHORES, Fla.—The Barry Buccaneers got off to a 2-0-0 start in Sunshine State Conference women’s soccer play with a 2-0 win over Nova Southeastern at Buccaneer Field on Tuesday night.

Though the shot count made the game look close, with Barry holding just a 13-12 edge, the Bucs (7-3-0, 2-0-0 SSC) dominated play for most of the night and held a 6-2 edge on goal.

Lavinia Nkomo and Lauren Manna combined for the only goal the Bucs would need in the 12th minute. Nkomo drove the ball deep in the corner and passed back to Manna, unmarked at the top of the box, for a chip over Nova keeper Sandra Rolon.

After carrying the 1-0 lead into the half, the Bucs scored an insurance goal just 0:43 seconds into the second half. Natalie Diaz stripped the ball from Sharks defender Stephanie Moench near the left-wing corner and chipped Rolon again from 25 yards out and about five yards off the line.

The Bucs missed a couple of golden chances to pad the lead. In the seventh minute after Nkomo won a corner, the Bucs were whistled for offside as Nkomo drove a header into the back of the net. In the 60th minute, Sara Karna misfired on a shot from the top of the six-year box with Rolon off the line. The Sharks (4-5-1, 0-1-1 SSC) missed their best chance when Moench hit the crossbar from 45 yards out and Hannah Davis’ header on the rebound was saved by Becca Rogers.

Rolon had four saves for the Sharks, while Rogers made two for the Bucs.

Barry travels to Sandspur Field in Winter Park, Fla., to face off with Rollins Tars on Saturday at 7:30 pm. The two teams are knotted at the top of the SSC at 2-0-0.